Power of Places

Power of Places aims to develop methods and full-scale prototypes demonstrating how existing materials, resource flows, knowledge and experience can be utilized in urban development. Two interdisciplinary teams were selected to create and test ideas and approaches for robust maintenance and development of urban spaces in Rosengård and Nyhamnen in Malmö.

In the future, development and maintenance will be two words to describe the same thing. The Power of Places call explores ideas and methods for utilizing, carefully developing and strengthening local values in the urban development process. If we would not produce new things but instead take care of the materials, opportunities and people that already exist in a place, what kind of development and aesthetics would that allow for?

Power of places focuses on Rosengård and Nyhamnen, two different geographies with different conditions and needs but both part of the same city. Two selected interdisciplinary teams were tasked with inventorying each site, exploring methods and developing full-scale prototypes that can be the starting point of a new approach on development and maintenance of the two areas. The assignment also includes an exploration of the possible exchange of resources and the relationship between the geographies. 

In order to create transformation, we need to draw on all existing resources – including materials, knowledge and experiences – and build carefully on what we already have. Together, architecture, art and design can offer the tools for more place-based models of development, and show how new ways of working can lead to remarkable places and encounters.

The project is a collaboration between ArkDes and the City of Malmö and is supported by the Society for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage and Green Parks in Malmö.

Questions

For questions, please email us at hej.thinktank@arkdes.se.

Photo in header: Björn Olin